Kleavor Frenzy!
"Hey Zach, Akari!" Rei waved the two over upon catching sight of them during one of their many expeditions in the Obsidian Fieldlands. A dark haired girl stood alongside him while wearing dark blue robes that had a strange crest of some sort across the front. Zach narrowed his eyes as a sense of familiarity came to him. His love for Dawn and Cyndaquil may have helped stir some memories and emotions out of him but it appeared simple friendship didn't break Arceus' spell, love and hate were powerful emotions that not even Arceus himself could fully snuff out!
Akari didn't even notice Zach's brief expression as she was too busy focusing her attention upon her stubborn cousin. "Almighty Sinnoh! Rei what on earth are you doing out here?! You're not fully healed yet!" She hissed out with an anxious expression as the blue haired boy still had wrappings around his leg!
"Hey I told you that nothing was going to step me from reaching Arezu and I meant that! I love her too much to be stuck in town and locked away from her for months!" Rei shouted while the dark haired girl silently leered at the two cousins for getting off track.
"Months?! Rei you only need bed rest for a week, two weeks top! It's been three days since Zach saved your life!" Akari clenched her fists as she delivered him a harsh glare. "Get back to the village now!"
"Please, we're the same rank! You can't make me go where I don't want to." Rei carelessly waved it off while flashing his cousin a teasing smirk.
"Gah!" Akari screamed out.
Zach took note of the strange girl's facial expression and frowned as it appeared she needed help with something but Rei and Akari were too busy arguing. He reached out and placed his hand upon Akari's shoulder, his touch appeared to calm her down as she went silent and gave him a questioning look. "What is it?"
"That girl, Rei's friend? It looks like she needs something." Zach pointed out the girl accompanying Rei. "Arezu I presume?"
"Huh? Oh no, that's Mai!" Akari was quick to correct him before turning towards Mai as she performed an apologetic bow. "I'm so sorry about that, my cousin can be quite aggravating at times! Mai, this is Zach. He's new to the village and my assigned research partner!"
"That's quite alright," Mai gave Zach a nod of acknowledgement. "And he's right, I do need help! I'd ask Rei but he's in no shape to do so."
"What are you talking about? I'm fine, see?!" Rei kicked out with his injured leg before letting out a loud pained shout as he dropped to his knees. Akari rolled her eyes as she silently shook her head.
"Just go back to the village Rei, I'm sure Mai will let Arezu know you're hurt." Akari sighed out.
"Sure but I can't go back to my people just yet." Mai nodded her head in agreement to Akari's statement. "I promise to let her know soon as I get there though."
"Alright, alright I'll get going." Rei let out a defeated sigh as he began limping back to Jubilife Village.
"Your people-?" Zach couldn't help but ask. He knew that there were other settlements but he'd yet to meet anyone from them until now.
"Oh right, I should probably introduce myself proper like." Mai sweated lightly before performing a swift stance. "The name's Mai, I'm a Warden of Diamond Clan!"
"What's a Warden...?" The term was unfamiliar to him. "And I'm guessing that crest on your robes means your part of Diamond Clan?"
"Correct," Mai gave a swift nod. "I'll tell you what a Warden is later, right now I'd rather get straight to the point. I need help, so I'd like to know how confident you are leading Pokemon into battle."
"Fairly confident, I may not remember where I come from or the life I have but I'm fairly certain that I was a trainer of some sort." Zach spoke up.
"Fairly confident? Don't sell yourself short Zach, I know that you can!" Akari beamed at her friend. "You've beaten so many Pokemon since your arrival and managed to capture some as well along with an alpha Pokemon!"
"Hold up-You mean to tell me that this stranger just showed up and caught an alpha?" Mai narrowed her eyes in disbelief. She could tell Akari liked him so she thought perhaps she was simply overexaggerating like Arezu had when she first brought Rei to Diamond Clan's settlement.
"Akari..." Zach covered his face with his hands while a light groan emitted from his throat. He appreciated Akari's praise but she was saying far more than necessary and bringing too much attention to him as a result.
"Huh?" Akari's cheeks turned red as she realized she overdid it. "S-Sorry Zach but it's true, I have the utmost faith in your abilities!"
"Well that sure is good to hear," Mai gave the two a look before motioning towards a Munchlax that stood beside her. "This is Munchlax, the two of us were raised together like siblings. He battles at my side by choice, without needing any silly little balls like you use. So Zach, I must request that you battle us before we continue any further!"
"Battle you?" Zach took one look at Munchlax before looking at Mai. He felt a sense of familiarity towards both her and Munchlax but something was off, as if the two shouldn't be together. He narrowed his eyes for a moment as he tried pushing deeper but his mind wasn't getting him anywhere, he shrugged it off before reaching for the ball that contained Luxio. "Alright then, Luxio let's do this!"
"Lux lux!" Blue electricity crackled from Luxio's cheeks as he burst onto the grassy field, his eyes narrowed to slits as he realized Munchlax was a male too. "Lux!" Abilities weren't exactly known at the time so Zach was unaware of Luxio's Rivalry ability.
"Let's him them with Ice Fang!"
"Lux!" Luxio's fangs turned an icy blue color as he sprang forward before quickly sinking his fangs into Munchlax's body! Munchlax let out a pained grunt but much to Zach and Akari's shock, Ice Fang didn't seem as effective as it normally was!
"Huh?!" The two simultaneously gasped.
"Yeah, I've noticed that before during a battle with Irida. Not sure what it means exactly," Mai shrugged before ordering out. "Body Slam!"
"Munch!" Munchlax leaped up into the air before he came crashing down upon his opponent, slamming him against the ground!
"L-Lux..." Luxio groaned out as Munchlax's heavy weight was crushing him!
Zach clenched his fists. "Luxio use Thunder Shock!"
"Lux!" Blue electricity soon surrounded Munchlax as Luxio unleashed a powerful shock upon the Normal type in a bid to get him off! Munchlax let out a pained shout as he leaped off Luxio before performing a swift glare as he prepared to counter attack.
"Rollout!" Munchlax curled up in a ball as he began spinning in place.
"Use Quick Attack to dodge!"
"Eh?" Mai's eyebrow raised from the command as she'd never thought of fighting like that!
"Lux!" Luxio swiftly moved out of the way causing Munchlax to keep on rolling past before he collided with a tree trunk!
"Now let's finish this, Thunder Shock!"
"Luxio!" Luxio's cheeks sparked as he unleashed another beam of electricity and fired it across the field, zapping the recovering Munchlax and giving him quite the electrical shock!
"M-Munchlax!" Munchlax cried out as the electricity surged through his bones before he slowly dropped towards the ground as swirls formed within his eyes. "Munch..."
"Lux!" Luxio raised his head and flashed the downed Munchlax a smirk before turning his back to him as he headed towards his trainer.
"Alright Luxio, you did it!"
"Lux!" Luxio smiled at his trainer's praise.
"See, I told you you'd beat her!" Akari beamed.
Mai stood in shock for a moment before collecting herself, she walked towards the downed Munchlax and dropped to her knee in order to offer him some medicine before turning her attention back towards Zach and Akari.
"You really aren't one of the usual Galaxy Team buffoons if you could beat my partner, well fought Munchlax."
"Munch..."
"You and your Pokemon certainly fought well together, perhaps you're just the help I need after all." Mai offered Zach a light smile as she spoke. "You see, I need somebody to deal with an alpha Pokemon causing trouble upon Deertrack Heights. And based on what I heard, you have experience dealing with such so I trust that I have your support?"
Akari blushed while nervously rubbing the back of her head.
"Well it sounds like we ought to pit my alpha against this one!" Zach smirked, his hand lightly gripped Gabite's ball before he returned Luxio to his own ball.
"That'll probably be best, heck I've even heard of some Alpha Pokemon successfully scaring off other Alpha Pokemon. Perhaps yours just might do that if he's fierce enough!" Mai beckoned for the pair to follow her down the path. "Pardon my asking but seeing how you're new around here, I'd like to know if you know about almighty Sinnoh?"
"Of course, Sinnoh is a place isn't it?" He randomly blurted out. Akari gasped, her eyes widened as she shot him an anxious look while Mai's face turned a bright red color as she turned around to shoot him a harsh glare.
"How dare you talk about almighty Sinnoh that way, don't ya know that he's our creator and ruler of time?!" Mai clenched her fists as she took his accidental insult to heart. She'd have stopped traveling with him right there had she not had a desperate need for his help, he was the only one around capable of beating an alpha Pokemon.
"God of time...?" Zach blinked while Akari grabbed a tight hold of his hand and offered Mai a nervous smile.
"He must have misheard what I said, don't you worry about it! I'll make sure he apologies to almighty Sinnoh when we get back to Jubilife, no need to worry!"
Mai narrowed her eyes before turning her back to them in a huff. "Just make sure that it doesn't happen again, his blasphemy is even worse than that of Pearl Clan's!"
Akari shot Mai a glare before leaning closer to Zach as to whisper into his ear. "What was that about? You said Sinnoh was a place...?"
"I-I did, I'm not sure why. I-It just sort of came out..." Zach gazed towards his feet as they followed Mai. "I didn't mean to upset her."
"No need to worry about her, it's not like she's your friend. If she doesn't like you after that then so be it, Rei and I like you regardless!" Akari offered him a warm smile as he turned to look at her. "Just be careful around Diamond and Pearl Clan folk from now on okay? They take their religion seriously."
"Okay, understood. But what she said about Pearl Clan... what did she mean by that?" Zach couldn't help but question her.
"Ah, well you know how Mai said that Sinnoh created the universe and rules over time? Well Pearl Clan says that Sinnoh created the universe and rules over space! Nobody has seen him in a very long time so we can't even be certain of what he looks like let alone what his powers are. Though there are still Pokemon here today in Hisui with a connection to him and it is the Warden's duties to attend to their needs. I heard that one graces Deertrack Heights though I've never been fortunate enough to see it, mostly cause I've never been that far out before we met!" Akari laughed lightly.
Zach chuckled along with her. "So it's probably best I play along and agree with Diamond and Pearl Clan members I come across?"
"Precisely!"
"Well here we are, Deertrack Heights." Mai spoke up as the trio arrived at an open clearing atop a mountainous path. "This is where I've long come to pay tribute to a special Pokemon, a Pokemon descended from one of those ancients blessed by almighty Sinnoh."
"Tuneeee!" A melodic cry carried out across the field causing Zach and Akari to perk up.
"Is that-" Zach started.
"No, that's not it." Mai shook her head as a large Kricketune raced into view, it's eyes glowed the same fiery red color that Zach's Gabite had prior to his capture. "That's the troublemaking alpha Pokemon, Kricketune. Here to disturb the peace with it's racket."
"I don't know, it sounds rather nice to me!" Akari smiled as Kricketune cried out once more.
"Doesn't change the fact it's hostile." Mai noted with a light glare.
"No problem, I'll simply catch it so it won't cause you or that noble Pokemon anymore trouble. Gabite let's light things up with Flamethrower!" Zach shouted out while hurling Gabite's ball across the field.
"Gaaar!" The alpha Dragon type roared out as he burst onto the field. His eyes locked onto Kricketune as fire formed within his mouth, Gabite stretched out his arms and roared as he unleashed a steady stream of fire upon the rival alpha! Kricketune let out a pained shriek as the fire struck her body, she was quick to shake it off before racing towards Gabite, her arm glowed a bright black-purple color as she slashed him across the chest! Gabite uttered out a light grunt before growling out as he fired off another stream of fire without waiting for his trainer's command!
Kricketune cried out as the fire burned across her body before eventually fading away to reveal her soot covered body! Kricketune let out a light cough before falling onto her back as she laid in defeat!
"Whoa, you actually beat it! Quite impressive." Mai spoke with a light smile, she was still resentful towards him for his earlier statement but he did earn some respect today.
"Thank you, now time to-" Zach grabbed at an empty ball before a loud cry echoed out across the clearing causing him and Akari to look about before Akari took note of a grey colored Stantler with white fur that resembled a long beard standing atop a nearby cliff. Akari quickly tapped Zach's shoulder and pointed towards the deer.
"Look!"
"W-What is that?!" Unlike most Pokemon, this one actually took Zach by surprise as it wasn't familiar to him in the slightest!
"Why it's the great Wyrdeer, the Pokemon I look after!" Mai explained while looking fondly towards the deer Pokemon as it gazed down at them with an impressed expression before boldly leaping off the top of the cliff, landing safely on his hooves before trotting on over to the group with his attention primarily focused upon Zach.
"Huh, he's looking upon you with kindness." Mai noted as Zach and Wyrdeer silently gazed at each other before Wyrdeer eventually turned his back to take his leave. "I'd say he's taking a liking to you, that's a good thing cause his kind have carried worthy trainers across the region for generations, moving at incredible speeds!"
"Couldn't I just use Gabite after he evolves?" Zach questioned as he didn't feel right asking another Pokemon to do that, especially one that was important to the Hisuian people such as Wyrdeer!
"Well I suppose..." Mai spoke while her eyes glanced to the side. "But that could be awhile. Anyways you have my thanks for what you did today, our clan leader will hear of how you aided us!"
"You're welcome, Mai." Zach gave the warden a light bow before gripping at the empty ball once more. "Alright now time to-"
"Garrrr!" Gabite's cry caught his trainer's attention causing him to turn and notice the alpha Dragon sniffing at the air. "Garr..." Gabite licked his lips shortly before he raced off into the distance, hot on the trail of something delicious as his predatory instincts took over!
"Oh no, Gabite come back!" Zach quickly raced after his Dragon, Akari following after him as to not get left behind.
Mai chuckled as she watched the pair race off and lightly shook her head, unaware of Kricketune rising behind her. The Bug's eyes were no longer red but she was furious for Gabite burning her! The Bug pulled back her arm as it began glowing a black-purple color once more before slashing at the unsuspecting Warden who likely would have met her end had somebody not been nearby. A figure swiftly leaped from the shadows and knocked her to the ground, forcing her to grunt as her face was pressed against the dirt. She didn't get a good look at her savior but she did hear a "Chuuu!" followed by the sound of electric sparks!
"Tune!" Mai heard Kricketune collapse against the ground once more before taking note of the sound of a Pokeball, at first she thought that perhaps Zach and Akari had returned but her savior was too quiet to be them.
"Alright buddy, let's go!"
"Chu!" Mai felt the weight leave her backside as the figure and his Pokemon ran off, rather quick too as she didn't catch sight of them or the Pokeball. Mai shot a quick look around before narrowing her eyes in a suspicious fashion.
"Why did they save me if they're just going to run off like that? Are they hiding something?"
"Gabite, no! Spit it out!" Zach anxiously cried out as he saw Gabite slurp a smaller Pokemon up into his mouth, he didn't get a good look at it but he could tell that Gabite definitely found a Pokemon and not another source of food as it was struggling to break free from his mouth but appeared to be too weak to do so! "Spit it out, we don't eat Pokemon! Certainly not live ones!"
Gabite gave his trainer a look as he seemed to be debating on rather he should swallow the Pokemon or not.
"Please Gabite? Spit it out!" Zach begged his Pokemon while Akari had to look away from the alpha as a green tint formed on her cheeks.
"I think I'm gonna get sick..."
Gabite let out a sigh as he spat the Pokemon out causing a purple blur to fly across the field before it smacked hard against a nearby rock! Zach and Gabite flinched from the loud noise as it sounded rather painful.
"I think we broke it..." Zach frowned as a purple blob slowly slid down from the rock, swirls formed within it's large green eyes.
"Huh? N-No, you didn't break it!" Akari quickly shook her head as she spoke up. "That's a Goomy! They're born like that, they don't have bones so you didn't break anything." She flashed him a reassuring smile.
"Goomy, eh?" Zach looked towards the empty Pokeball before looking back towards Goomy. Nobody in town requested a Goomy but he couldn't help but feel drawn towards the Dragon type, he grabbed hold of the ball before hurling it towards Goomy! Gabite watched as the ball opened up and absorbed the other Dragon, the Dragon's eyes narrowed as he watched the ball bounce about before calming down as the ball crackled to announce the capture!
"You caught another Dragon? Not bad!" Akari gave Zach's arm a light nudge causing him to let out a laugh.
"So that's what Goomy is?" He looked towards Gabite to see if he'd have issues regarding another Dragon's presence on the team but Gabite merely smiled at his trainer and uttered out a happy sounding cry! It appeared that he merely chased Goomy as his instincts hadn't fully disappeared like Luxio's had done when Zach captured him, he didn't seem resentful nor upset another Dragon was on the team! "Promise you won't try to eat him again?"
"Ga!" Gabite nodded his head in agreement as he promised to not eat his teammate!
"Have you all heard the grave news?" Beni asked his usual customers, who were now accompanied by Rei, as they took their seats for their evening meal. "That frenzied Kleavor from the rumors... it ended up mauling some of our Galaxy folks who went out investigating."
"Oh right, I heard some people died!" Rei frowned as he spoke while Zach and Akari looked horrified! Akari shot a fearful look towards Zach as she feared Cylene or Kamado sending him out to face the frenzied Noble!
"Not all of them," Beni reassured Zach and Akari. "There were some survivors and the Medical Corps is hard at work getting them back to their feet!"
"The Kleavor that was reportedly struck by lightning fired from the space time rift?" Laventon questioned while turning his gaze towards the distant mountain and the rift above it. "I did hear he's been behaving erratically since then. "Still if further investigation is in order, the Survey Corps will of course step up to the task. A certain amount of danger is expected when researching unfamiliar Pokemon but I'm sure that Zach can handle it just fine!"
Akari narrowed her eyes as she turned to glare at the Professor, she wasn't about to let him send Zach out to face the mighty noble. She wasn't sure what she'd do if he got hurt or worse! "Are you certain? I've heard Kleavor's so mighty that not even alpha Pokemon compare to him!"
"If the task is falling to me, I'll do it!" Zach's words caused Akari to shoot him an anxious look. "I've never met a Kleavor and I'll admit that it sounds terrifying... but I'm not about to stand aside and let it hurt more people!"
"What an idiot..." Rei muttered with narrowed eyes.
"He's my idiot so watch your mouth!" Akari hissed as she gently elbowed her cousin's ribs.
"Well your idiot is going to get himself killed out there!" Rei hissed back.
"Not if I can help it, I'll be there to provide aide and drag him away if necessary." Akari hissed back.
"Morning Zach," Akari greeted her research partner with a warm smile despite the noticeable concern in her eyes as the pair met on the street outside their dorms as per morning tradition.
"Morning Akari," Zach greeted her with the usual smile.
Akari bit her lip as nerves started flying through her body. 'Should I tell him how I feel?' She felt her heart beating rapidly against her chest. 'Maybe if we get together then he'll wise up and stay here with me and not go out there where it's dangerous!'
Luxio raised an eyebrow at Akari as he sat by his trainer's side, his tail impatiently flicked as if to say 'Just tell him!'.
"Hm?" Zach tilted his head as he could sense that something was on Akari's mind. "Something wrong, Akari?"
"Huh? Oh nonono! Nothing's wrong, it's just that-I need to... l'm worried that-No that's not it... look Zach, I don't want you to go out there and face that Kleavor! I lo-"
"Finally realized you're wasting almighty Sinnoh's precious time by bowing to a sham?!" A man shouted out causing Akari to shoot a glare in his direction for the interruption.
"Huh?" Zach forgot all about what Akari was trying to say as he turned his attention towards the shouting. He saw a man and woman wearing quite the strange attire glaring at each other not far down the street. The man appeared to be older than them, possibly in his mid-twenties, and wore a blue robe atop a black kimono that had the Diamond Clan insignia on it. His long black hair appeared to have been partially dyed blue and was tied up into a spiked ponytail.
The girl meanwhile appeared to be the same age as Zach, Akari and Rei. She wore a smaller set of robes as her pink top completely exposed her shoulder and arms while her white shorts barely covered her lower half at all! As Zach glanced towards her face he couldn't help but tense up, his heart started to beat although it wasn't beating as loudly as it did when he was around Akari. He may have chosen Dawn but that didn't mean his feelings for May just magically went away, they were still there just not as strong. Akari noticed him eyeing the Pearl Clan leader and let out an annoyed huff as she puffed her cheeks.
'She seems familiar and I sure seem to know a lot about the Pokemon around here. Maybe I'm from Pearl Clan?' Zach thought to himself. Mai hadn't recognized him so he was certainly not part of Diamond Clan!
"There you go again, insisting on your false image of almighty Sinnoh as a ruler of time!" The May lookalike shouted at the Diamond Clan leader. "My people follow the true almighty Sinnoh, the font of all creation and ruler of space!"
"Hah, you could have all the space there is and still not know what to do with it!"
The girl gasped. "Excuse me? Are you really suggesting that you make better use of your time than we make of vast Hisui's space?"
"Better than some," The man flashed a mocking smirk. "It's a miracle you showed up on time, oh mighty leader of the Pearl Clan! I worried you'd get lost in the pointlessly vast space you're so fond of and never show up."
"Me, get lost? In almighty Sinnoh's great gift to the Pearl Clan, in our world's very basis? You wish!"
The man narrowed his eyes as he turned towards Galaxy Hall. "I wish that I hadn't let myself get dragged into arguing with you. Almighty Sinnoh forgive me-What a waste of time, I'm off to Commander Kamado's office!"
"I believe you started it." The girl glared before following him into the building.
"Those two are always so annoying!" Akari growled. "You haven't met, have you? The woman with the reverence for space is Irida, leader of Pearl Clan. The man who went on and on about time, Adaman, leads the Diamond Clan. The two clans grudgingly coexist at the moment, apparently things used to be less peaceful... but we shouldn't keep Kamado waiting, let's go check in on him!" It was wise not to make him angry, it didn't matter what your gender was he'd hurl you just as far as he would anyone else for being late!
"Irida?" Zach narrowed his eyes, the face was certainly familiar but the name wasn't ringing any bells. There went his theory about being apart of Pearl Clan.
"What do you intend on doing about that Kleavor, Commander Kamado?!" Adaman asked with an annoyed tone as he stood across from the bulky commander. "He may be descended from a mighty warrior of Sinnoh but look at the mess he's causing! We can't sit back and let him rage on!"
"You do get right to the point, Adaman." Kamado firmly spoke.
"Time is lost!" Adaman shouted.
"Well tell me what would you have us do? Kleavor is a precious lord of the Pearl Clan, is he not?"
"That's the point, my clan can't intervene directly where a lord of the Pearl Clan's concerned. If my people were to do something, our two clans might end up back at each other's throats just like we used to be! Even folk of the Galaxy Team have been wounded, haven't they? Seems someone's got to do something here..."
"Who then?" Irida turned to the rivaling Clan leader. "Would the Diamond Clan have the Pearl Clan bring down one of it's own honored nobles?"
"I sure didn't say that, thought it maybe."
"You might as well have said it, you fool!" Irida shouted before calming down. "Look we don't even know what drove Lord Kleavor into such a violent frenzy."
Adaman let out an annoyed grunt as he held his forehead. "I'd like to know that myself, this is a first as far as my clan knows too!"
Kamado glanced between the pair before he finally took note of Zach and Akari who were silently standing outside the office, afraid of speaking up lest they get dragged into the argument. "Ah, you're here! Adaman, Irida this is Zach the newest member of our Survey Corps."
Akari hung back while Zach entered the room upon his acknowledgement. "Greetings Adaman, Irida. It's an honor to meet you."
"Zach?" A smile formed upon Adaman's face. "I heard from Mai that you earned Wyrdeer's favor! Good to finally meet you, stranger from the rift! I'm 'Adaman, leader of the Diamond Clan' if you want to be formal! But that's a mouthful, just call me Adaman."
"If you came from beyond the space-time rift then could you be from the space where almighty Sinnoh is said to reside?" Irida questioned.
"She has no idea how close she is to the truth." The Arc Phone snickered from within Zach's satchel.
"I'm Irida, leader of the Pearl Clan! Caution and foresight are my watchwords. Which is why I have trouble believing such a tale, could you really have passed through that rift?"
"Of course he did, I saw it!" Akari shouted from the hallway. "So did Professor Laventon!"
"I saw it too!" Rei shouted from downstairs.
"Shut up Rei," Cyllene coldly dismissed him.
"I'm not sure, all I remember is a falling sensation before I found myself waking up along the nearby beach!" Zach was quick to explain. "But if my friends say that's what happened then I believe them."
Irida continued giving him a look of uncertainty while Akari flashed him a warm look.
"I have a proposition, why not send Zach to study Kleavor before deciding what must be done?" Kamado spoke up.
"You'd send this stranger, who supposedly fell from the rift, to study Kleavor? This newcomer with no experience?"
"No experience?!" Akari's face turned bright red as she clenched her fists. She wasn't about to let this girl talk down to her man like that! "For your record, Zach's beaten two alpha Pokemon and even captured one of them! And since his arrival he's captured roughly eight or nine Pokemon, half of which he gave away to the townsfolk! Heck he gave a Geodude away yesterday to help a lady make pickles!"
"Akari..." Zach's cheeks burned red from embarrassment as she backed him up.
'Heh, young love.' Adaman smirked to himself before speaking. "Said the leader with no experience."
Irida glared at Akari before turning to Adaman once more. "Being a good leader isn't a matter of time, it's a matter of embracing Hisui's vastness without fear!"
"Well then there you have it, if how new you are doesn't matter then let's give the stranger a chance!" Adaman proposed with a light smirk before turning to face Kamado. "I'm sold Commander, we'll try things your way! This'll be fun, I can't wait to see you Galaxy folk in action with your magic Pokeballs and what not."
"That practice still bothers me," Irida frowned. "Almighty Sinnoh made Hisui vast so Pokemon could move freely about! We're meant to stand alongside Pokemon, not count ourselves above them!"
"Hey I don't consider myself above my Pokemon, they're my partners... my family!" Zach spoke up in a defensive manner.
"Zach's right," Kamado informed Irida. "We don't use Pokeballs as a desire to control Pokemon, we use them so we can live together in peace."
Irida still looked uncertain as Kamado turned to face Zach. "This is your mission now, Zach. I order you to study Kleavor and help us find the truth of this situation!"
Zach was quick to give Kamado a nod of acknowledgement. "I accept,"
"The Lord of the Woods, Kleavor, is descended from a Pokemon that was blessed by almighty Sinnoh's own power." Irida explained as she turned to face Zach, her expression remained uncertain as she spoke. "No other Pokemon you've yet encountered can compare to his strength. Be warned."
Akari gulped while shooting a fearful look towards Zach. It was too late to back out now.
"So you've been ordered to find out the cause of Kleavor's frenzied state but as you're aware by now, Kleavor is a mighty thing. Nigh invincible even!" Professor Laventon spoke as the three stood in Cyllene's office. "The Security Corps tried throwing Pokeballs at Kleavor when they were attacked but I'm afraid they don't even come close to catching it!"
"Nor should they, you're to leave them be. Calm Kleavor but don't catch him." The Arc Phone spoke but only Zach appeared to hear it. He shot a quick look around the room as he heard a fifth voice but didn't see anyone else within the room or nearby causing him to glance towards his satchel as he wondered if it was that weird flashy screen device speaking to him again. "Catching it will just make things worse."
"I'd like to be perfectly clear on this, this mission will be you in extreme danger. Do you believe you can handle it?" Cyllene asked as she turned her attention towards Zach. Akari turned towards him with an anxious look as she hoped that he'd change his answer.
"Of course, if not me then who else? Nobody else around here seems capable of besting Kleavor." Zach spoke with a determined expression. He didn't mean to come off as boastful but he had more Pokemon than anyone else in the village on top of battle experience, he knew the risks but he also knew that far more would likely meet their end if he didn't do something!
"Very well then let's go over the particulars, the Diamond and Pearl Clans revere their nobles because they believe these Pokemon serve their 'almighty Sinnoh'. They leave offerings to express their gratitude to those Pokemon in locations they call the nobles' seat." Cyllene explained.
"So perhaps a good starting point for our research could be to find out what sort of offerings they normally leave for this Kleavor," Professor Laventon suggested while crossing his arms. All four of them looked a bit lost as they weren't quite sure where to start.
"Zach! We need to speak with you!" Zach and Akari quickly turned to see Mai and Adaman waiting in the hallway, Mai gave them a quick wave of acknowledgement before Adaman spoke out.
"Listen that rift in space-time seems like it connects this world to a whole other world, that world might be where almighty Sinnoh itself resides-the true almighty Sinnoh that is. The one that rules over time." Adaman's gaze fixated on Zach as he spoke. "So if you fell through that rift, that might mean you traveled through time! Think of it, you must have been swimming in it's divine might!"
Cyllene's eyes narrowed at that. Adaman was too close to the truth for comfort.
"Don't be ridiculous, Adaman. Time travel is pure fiction!" Cyllene scoffed.
"I don't know, it would certainly explain some things about him," Professor Laventon spoke while looking Zach over. He appeared to recognize Akari, Mai and Irida despite never meeting them perhaps he knew their descendants? Akari didn't look convinced.
"Well regardless I've got a favor to ask," Adaman spoke up once more. "Don't just study Kleavor, quell his frenzy!"
"Well you certainly caught us at a good time, we were just discussing our next steps regarding the Kleavor situation." Professor Laventon explained.
"Professor," Adaman gave him a nod of acknowledgement. "Now allow me to explain, these Pearl Clan types have a lot of respect for Kleavor. You heard his title, Lord of the Woods. I'm sure they'd rather get this under control too but it's hard for them to come right out and ask for help, especially from outsiders like the Galaxy folk, no offense! And the truth is... we in the Diamond Clan have a similar problem on our hands." Adaman began rubbing his forehead with a stressed look.
"A Pokemon dear to us, off in the mountains, has flown into the same type of frenzy as Kleavor. Now there's certainly bad blood between us and the Pearl Clan but still... We've all got to share Hisui and that means we ought to tackle our problems together!"
"But there aren't many capable of standing up to such powerful Pokemon," Mai explained while stepping forward. "You're the best hope we've got. You'll find Kleavor at Grandtree Arena, that's the very heart of the Heartwood. His Warden is a young boy named Lian, he is a brilliant child but also a bit... well sometimes brilliance can also be blinding, you know." Mai laughed. "He'll tell you about his beloved Kleavor whether you wish him to or not."
"Anyways I'm sure you're up for the challenge so we'll be counting on you!" Adaman offered Zach a friendly smile as the two Diamond Clan members waved at the group. "See you later!" He didn't even wait for them to say goodbye as once he stopped talking, he promptly turned around and exited the Galaxy Hall.
"He certainly left quickly once he'd finished talking, I suppose he really values his time." Akari softly spoke.
"Adaman and Mei weren't wrong you know, if you're to study and perhaps even quell Kleavor then you'd best start by visiting his abode." Professor Laventon explained before gesturing towards the door. "Now if you two hurry, you just might make it there and back before nightfall."
"Right, see you Professor." Akari nervously spoke while shooting a fearful glance towards Zach. She was terrified but she wasn't going to let him go out there alone!
"Thanks Professor, we'll be back!" The two soon took their leave and made their way towards the village outskirts, Akari looked down at her shoes and bit her lip as she wondered if she should try saying it again. If Zach called it off now they'd surely be banished but they could just as easily start a new life for themselves in Diamond Clan, they had friends there!
Akari opened her mouth and started to speak up before a voice excitedly cried out to them causing her to narrow her eyes at the interruption.
"Volo?" Zach turned to face Cynthia's ancestor as the man approached.
"I heard what you're up to and I'd like to gift you these Super Potions to make sure you succeed!" Volo held out a bottles of orange liquid while offering the pair a friendly smile.
"Really? Well that sure was nice of you!" His similarity to Cynthia may have triggered his fanboy attitude, he may not be attracted to Cynthia anymore but he was still a fanboy, clouding Zach's judgement as he took the potions without a care while Akari couldn't help but form a suspicious expression as her eyes narrowed to slits.
"How do you know that? We literally just left Galaxy Hall." She confronted him.
"Yes well, Adaman happened to mention it as he bought supplies!" Volo casually waved it off though Akari didn't seem to buy it as she kept glaring at the merchant. "And now I must depart, there are ruins calling me!" Steam flew out of Akari's ears as she watched him leave, her annoyance towards the man made her forget all about what she was about to say before his arrival! She soon felt a hand wrap around hers causing her to calm down as she turned to face Zach once more.
"You okay? You look a bit feverish," Zach spoke with visible concern.
"A-A bit, yeah... but I'm fine, I can manage today. Let's just go!" He smiled at her words and nodded in agreement before the pair left the village.
"Howdy!" A young boy that was around the same age as Bonnie and Max could be seen on the path ahead, if one knew who Clay was they could easily mistake the boy for his son as he even wore the same white cowboy hat that the Unovan Gym Leader wore! His robes were white colored and had the Pearl Clan insignia on them. "I'm Lian of the Pearl Clan. The warden to Kleavor, Lord of the Woods! And you two, I've already deduced that you're here to meet Kleavor. I'm right, aren't I?"
"H-He is, I'm just here to support and... help in other ways if necessary." Akari shot a fearful look towards Zach as she spoke.
"That's right, I'm here to calm him down and put an end to his frenzy!"
"Of course, lots of people have been coming here ever since he became more powerful! No doubt that strange lightning the other day was almighty Sinnoh's divine power, leaving him with awesome might! But I must turn you away, much as it pains me, it's far too dangerous for you to meet Kleavor right now."
"It's more dangerous having Kleavor roaming about, I'm not leaving without seeing it for myself!" Zach crossed his arms as a serious expression formed on his face.
"Huh?!" Lian's eyes widened as the stranger seemed intent on meeting Kleavor despite the risks. "I have to admit that I'm struck by your passion but I'm afraid I can't let you pass, I've been told in no uncertain terms by Irida that I am to let no one near Kleavor! I will fight you off if I must!"
Akari couldn't help but giggle out as it was amusing that the little kid thought he stood a chance against Zach, even Zach himself couldn't help but roll his eyes as his hand reached for the ball containing the alpha Gabite.
"If you wish to avoid battle, withdraw now while you still can! Or face the wrath of my Goomy!"
"Goomy?" Zach blinked before putting Gabite's ball back. "Well I'll take you on with my own Goomy!"
Lian narrowed his eyes. "You don't even realize that I'm turning you away for your own safety. How sad you are... Go Goomy, see if you can ooze some sense over this foolish troublemaker!"
"Goomy let's do this!" Zach threw forward a ball, releasing his own Goomy onto the field. Thankfully Lian's was yellow rather than purple, making it easy to tell the two apart. "Use Bide!"
"Gooo!" Goomy's body began glowing a steaming shade of red as he locked into position.
"Bide? What sort of attack is that?" Lian questioned before shrugging it off as it didn't appear to do anything. "Dragonbreath!"
"Gooo!" Lian's Goomy released a stream of blue-green fire from his mouth, pelting Zach's Goomy and doing some damage but he remained able to continue! Lian looked at Zach and Goomy as neither were retaliating causing him to tilt his head for a moment before shouting out. "Again!"
"Gooo!"
"Gooo!" Zach's Goomy was pushed back by the blue-green flames and was starting to look worn out as the red color intensified before leaving his body as he fired off a bright red beam towards Lian's Goomy! Lian's Goomy was sent flying by the powerful blast before splattering against the ground before his trainer as swirls filled his eyes.
"Gooo..."
"No way?!" Lian gasped out.
"Alright, go Zach!" Akari cheered her partner on.
"Way to go Goomy, you were awesome!" Zach praised his own Goomy while Lian tended to his own.
"Gooomy!" Goomy smiled up at his trainer before disappearing back into his Pokeball.
Lian stared at his feet as he approached Zach and Akari. "I'm afraid that I still can't let you past, I honestly didn't expect you to beat me... it's much too dangerous. The only welcome you'll get if you approach him is a flurry of devastating blows!" Lian explained while gesturing towards an altar. "Usually I'd simply try making him an offering, a nice heaped helping of his two favorite foods served up with respect by his loyal warden is usually enough to please him and soothe the prickliest of moods. But even I can't get close enough to give any offerings now, now with the way Kleavor is rampaging and running amok. If I can't do it, there's nothing an outsider like you can do."
"The ancestors of Kleavor, Wyrdeer, and their cohort drew on almighty Sinnoh's own power to Pokemon and people alike." A feminine voice spoke from behind Zach and Akari causing them to turn to face Irida as she made her arrival, her gaze fixated on the pair as she spoke. "It's by their grace that our clan, that any of us, still live in vast Hisui today!"
"Irida? What are you doing here?" Lian questioned his leader.
"As you say, Kleavor's grown even stronger but I'm afraid that strength poses a problem for us. If he was indeed struck by that lightning... could it have been sent by the false Sinnoh that the Diamond Clan bows to? Kleavor means so much to our clan... I'd hoped we could bring this situation under control ourselves, not throw our hands up and ask some outsider for help!" Irida looked towards the ground with a saddened expression. "But we must save Kleavor from this frenzy. Every moment it continues, the danger grows. If more people are attacked it will lead to conflict with both Diamond Clan and the Galaxy Team!"
Lian frowned before turning to Zach and Akari. "You Galaxy folk really think you can fix this?"
"We'll figure something out." Zach responded while Akari nodded in agreement.
"Right!"
Irida closed her eyes for a moment before speaking once more. "Lian and I will gather the foods the please Kleavor, in hopes we might get close enough to make him a proper offering. As for you, find a way to quell his frenzy, even if you must search every corner of Hisui!"
"So according to the information you were able to learn from Irida and Lian of the Pearl Clan, were this the normal course of events that frenzied Kleavor would be calmed by a nice serving of his favorite foods. I do wonder, is it possible that the aromas or some other components of these food might combine in a way that would not only calm Kleavor but draw him back from this frenzy?"
"Well we certainly can't approach him from what Lian said." Zach shook his head. "Maybe throwing something..? But that'd ruin the food..."
"Hm... actually that just might work! We can use our skill in Pokeball crafting to shape Kleavor's beloved foods into balls then throw them to achieve the same calming effect but from afar! A brilliant idea but what do we call these yummy projectiles? ...Oooh how about Teatime Balls?"
"Or name them after Zach?" Akari suggested.
"We should name them after the Professor," Zach stated.
"Oh my, can't say I like that idea! It sounds as if I'm the one being launched at our frenzied friend!" Laventon frowned. "I any case we can rely on the Pearl Clan to gather the necessary foodstuffs, correct?"
"Yep! Now let's get back to Grandtree Arena and let Irida know our plans!" Zach smirked. As the two left Galaxy Hall, Akari's thoughts began lingering back towards her thoughts from the prior morning. Her hand nervously ran along her arm as she gazed at her feet and upon exiting the town she spoke up, determined to just let the Glameow out of the bag!
"Zach I lo-"
"Zach!" Mai and Adaman waved at the pair as they waited on the path ahead, accompanied by the very Wyrdeer that Zach helped a few days ago. Akari's eyes narrowed as the constant interruptions were seriously ticking her off while Zach smiled and waved back at his friends.
"Mai, Adaman! What are you doing here?"
"We spoke to Wyrdeer about what's going on," Adaman explained while glancing towards the deer Pokemon. "We told him that you've been trekking all over the place seeking a way to quell Kleavor's frenzy. All this from someone's who not even part of our clan or the Pearl Clan. Just some wanderer who fell through a rift into this world, and hearing that you can see how he responded!"
"He wants to help, I hope you appreciate it." Mai spoke with a light smile.
"He's found you worthy, you see." Adaman continued. "Which means you'll need a flute like we have. Mind demonstrating, Mai?"
Mai nodded. "This is very important so listen well," Mai retrieved a flute and began playing some rather specific notes which triggered a response from Wyrdeer.
"Wyrrr!"
"That's a Celestica Flute that Mai just played," Adaman explained. "It's a precious tool that can be used to call on Wyrdeer so you can ride upon him! It's said that the Celestica Flutes were gifts from almighty Sinnoh itself and now, this one's yours." Adaman held out a flute to Zach who formed an anxious expression as he took it.
"I-I'm not sure that I can play it!"
"Relax, have some faith." The Arc Phone tried soothing him.
"Just try it!" Akari offered her partner a warm smile.
"It's not that hard," Mai added.
"Rather easy," Adaman smirked.
Zach stared down at the Celestica Flute for a moment before raising it to his lips, he completely butchered the notes at first causing Akari to place her hand upon his shoulder in a supportive fashion. After a few attempts he finally got it or rather close enough to satisfy Wyrdeer.
"Wyrrr!" Wyrdeer approached and dropped a purple plate into Zach's hand causing Akari to raise an eyebrow while Zach stared at it with a blank expression.
"What's this?"
"Huh, it appears that Wyrdeer trusts you to look after the Mind Plate. There's all sort of those ancient things laying about, nobody knows what they're used for but the nobles and other powerful Pokemon look after them so they must have some use." Adaman shrugged it off. "Just look after it for Wyrdeer."
"I will, even if I don't fully understand... thank you." Zach offered Wyrdeer a sincere smile as he placed the purple plating safely into his satchel.
"Now, use that Celestica Flute wisely and gallop across the land with the great Wyrdeer! Traveling Hisui will be much easier now that the two of you are friends." Mai smiled.
"You'll reach Kleavor in no time now, good luck!" Adaman bowed before quickly turning around to take his leave.
Zach looked up at Wyrdeer before climbing onto the Pokemon's back without issue, it just felt natural to him as if he'd done it before. Akari meanwhile shook nervously as she gazed up at him. "M-Maybe I'll just walk..."
"Nonsense, I'll help you up if that's the issue." Zach smiled at her.
"Nonono, it's just that-what if he kicks me off or I go flying off?!" Akari anxiously cried out.
"Wyrdeer wouldn't do that." Zach spoke while giving the deer's head a light pat before leaping from his back. "And if you're truly scared of flying off, well you can hold onto me. I'll make sure that nothing happens to you!"
Akari's cheeks turned red as she looked him in the eye, her gaze lingered with his for a moment before she swiftly nodded in response. She then felt as if she'd faint as he helped her onto Wyrdeer's back, smiling down at him the whole time before gently resting her head against his shoulder as he climbed up after her, positioning himself in front of her so he could guide Wyrdeer where they needed to go. "To Grandtree Arena!"
"What? You'll mash up Kleavor's favorite foods into balls so you can throw offerings at him?! Well that's quite an unorthodox approach, you Galaxy People just blow me away with your inventive attitudes! We can throw offerings from a safe distance... sure wish I thought of that." Lian spoke after the pair explained things to him. "I'll lend my aid if it means we can provide Kleavor with his offering, let's begin at once!"
"Hold on Lian, don't get ahead of yourself." Irida spoke up as she approached with a small bag. "Whatever the plan is, you'll need Kleavor's favorite Plump Beans. I've brought them as promised."
"Oh that's right, sorry I forgot all about that!" Lian gasped while shooting her an apologetic look.
"I admit, as we haven't been able to solve this ourselves, we seem to have little choice but to turn to the Galaxy Team. But even I still have my doubts about whether we should entrust such a thing to an outsider. He doesn't share our customs or our values..."
Akari and Zach looked at one another as they hoped Irida wouldn't send them off on a fetch quest.
"So prove to me you're worthy to stand in the presence of our noble Pokemon!" Irida exclaimed while getting into a battling stance. "You may use your Pokeballs but I shall use a Pokemon that is as close to me as a sister!" Irida's words caused brief flashes to occur within Zach's mind as he recalled having a similar relationship with a Pokemon only different as it was like a brother to him!
"If you can defeat Glaceon and me, I will entrust you with Kleavor's fate. Will you battle us?"
"Of course," It wasn't like it was a choice.
"Then allow Glaceon's true strength to chill you to your depths!"
"Glace!" Zach tensed up as a Glaceon leaped from a nearby bush. This was giving him some serious deja vu as unlike Mai, May's ancestor actually had a Pokemon in common with her! Zach held his forehead and quickly shook his head as he grabbed Quilava's ball.
"Quilava let's light things up!"
"Quilava!" Quilava cried as she burst from her Pokeball.
"Powder Snow!"
"Glace!" A gust of cold wind blew from Glaceon's mouth, accompanied by snowballs as the breeze flew across the field before pelting Quilava! Quilava grunted as the snow melted against her flames before narrowing her eyes as she looked eyes with Glaceon, a determined expression formed upon her face.
"Quila!"
"Flame Wheel!" Quilava curled up into a ball as her body was engulfed in a fiery inferno! She began spinning in place before rocketing across the field where she bowled into Glaceon, sweeping the Eeveelution off her feet!
"G-Glace..." Glaceon gritted her teeth as she slowly rose back to her feet.
"Swift!"
"Glace!" Glaceon gave a quick shake of her head as several star shaped energy beams formed around her before she fired them off in the direction of her opponent! The attack struck Quilava and pushed her back as she gritted her teeth.
"Alright Quilava let's hit her with another Flame Wheel!"
"Dodge with Quick Attack!" She hadn't met him until recently but she did hear about his battling style and picked up on some things. Though fast as Glaceon was, Quilava was faster! The fire mouse rocketed across the field and slammed into the Ice type's body before she could make her retreat causing her to fly across the clearing before she landed in a defeated slump before Irida.
"Glace..."
Irida stared in shock upon seeing how quickly the outsider had bested her before facing towards him with an impressed expression. "I see now, Pokeballs are simply your tools of choice, not products of disregard for Pokemon. You treat the Pokemon you caught as partners and not tools which makes me feel better putting my trust in you. Now how about we make those soothing balms of yours?"
"Balms?" Zach blinked.
"She means the food balls, she just named it for us." Akari narrowed her eyes before the group got to work constructing 'offerings' for Kleavor, it took a few hours but there would soon be a basket with a seemingly infinite supply of balms!
"There! A veritable mountain of balms, this should please Kleavor if anything can..." Lian spoke before turning to face Zach. "Will then are you ready? I can summon our mighty Kleavor if you are."
"I'm ready!" Zach nodded in response, a determined expression filled his gaze while Akari shot him a fearful look.
Lian turned and began making his way to the altar. "Oh mighty Kleavor, Lord of the Woods. Though it isn't yet the time of ceremony, we've prepared an offering of your favorite things. Benevolent lord who works his might between the heavens and earth, we offer our gratitude and beseech you, reveal yourself to us!"
"GRAAAA!"
A fierce wind shot across the nearby hill before something sliced clean through a large tree causing it to timber over and crash to the ground, separating Zach from the others as what appeared to be a large rock coated Scyther landed upon the ground, towering over Zach as he held his arms out in a menacing fashion while a yellow aura surrounded his body, making him glow!
"Scyther...? No, Scizor right?"
"GRAAAA!" The Noble angrily screeched.
"Yeah, I'll take that as a no." Zach sweated before reaching for Gabite's ball. "Gabite let's fi-"
"No!" Irida screamed out to get his attention. "You won't hurt him until you've calmed him down, you'll have to throw those balms at him to calm him down!"
"Throw them? Where's he supposed to go?! Kleavor's trapped him in a sloped circle!" Akari anxiously cried out.
"I'll just have to throw them and run..." Zach took a deep breath before throwing a balm directly at Kleavor's face, stunning the Pokemon for a brief second but it was enough to get in a safe distance from his stone axed hands!
"GRAAAA!" Kleavor began racing circles around the enclosure as he chased him about, slashing his arms in a menacing fashion! Thankfully Zach had sharp reflexes from years of playing videogames that required quick planning and action so he was able to tuck and roll whenever Kleavor gained on him while also throwing the occasional balm, some missed but a good amount struck Kleavor and after what felt like hours, Kleavor's breath grew heavier as the yellow hue vanished from his body.
"Alright, now time to attack!" Zach wasn't sure what type Kleavor was but if he had to guess, it was part Rock. "Gabite, Luxio, Goomy, Dartrix, Quilava I need you!" The five Pokeballs flew forward before bursting open to reveal his Hisuian team!
"Gar!"
"Lux!"
"Gooo!"
"Hooot!"
"Quilava!"
"Alright Goomy, let's hit Kleavor with Bubble! Dartrix follow up with Leafage, Luxio use Iron Tail, Gabite use Dragon Claw and Quilava finish up with Flame Wheel!"
"Gooo!" Goomy fired off a barrage of bubbles and Dartrix quickly followed up by firing razor sharp leaves towards Kleavor. Luxio's tail glowed a bright silver as he swung about, striking Kleavor's knee while Gabite slashed his green-blue glowing claws against Kleavor's stomach! Quilava finished up by rolling her flaming body towards Kleavor!
Kleavor grunted out before growling as he slashed out, striking Dartrix, Gabite, and Luxio while Goomy and Quilava were low enough to avoid his sharp axe shaped cleavers!
Luxio and Dartrix instantly collapsed to the floor, swirls in their eyes while Gabite briefly dropped to a knee before slowly rising back to his feet.
"Garr..." The alpha growled.
"Luxio, Dartrix return!" Zach didn't have time to praise or thank them as he was still in a dangerous predicament.
"Quilava let's start with Rollout, Goomy once he's clear I want you to hit Kleavor with Bubble! Gabite, finish with Dragon Claw!"
The tree Pokemon nodded before Quilava curled up into a ball, she spun in place before rocketing across the field to strike Kleavor! The noble grunted out before getting knocked back as Gabite slashed him across the face! Goomy quickly followed up by firing water where Gabite struck causing Kleavor to hiss out in pain. Gabite turned and gave Goomy an impressed smirk causing the blob dragon to smile up at his partner.
Kleavor formed an x with his cleavers as he took aim at Gabite before rushing the alpha! Gabite looked on with a determined expression, not showing an ounce of fear!
"Earth Power!"
"Ga!" Gabite slammed his foot against the ground as Kleavor got closer causing Kleavor to freeze in place and let out a pained hiss as the ground splintered apart beneath him!
"Alright, let's finish with another Bubble-Rollout combo!" Zach clenched his fist as Kleavor was showing signs of weakness!
"Goooo!" Goomy fired off a barrage of bubbles while Quilava rapidly spun in place before rocketing across the clearing, striking Kleavor head on and doing more damage than the previous attempt, knocking Kleavor right off his feet and onto his back as swirls formed within the Pokemon's eyes.
"Kleavor..." The Pokemon's cry returned to normal as it left it's frenzied state.
"D-Did he just beat Kleavor?" Irida questioned.
"I'm not sure, I can't see a thing over this log!" Lian whined.
"GAR!" The alpha Pokemon raced towards the log and gave it a quick slice with his claws before kicking part away to allow entry into the area. The others soon raced into the clearing before stopping in place with stunned expressions as they saw Kleavor laying sprawled across his back.
"Thanks you three, you deserve a break after what I put you through today. Return," Zach returned Gabite, Goomy and Quilava to their Pokeballs.
"Y-You did it!" Akari gasped with an ecstatic expression. "You did it!"
"I can't believe it..." Lian narrowed his eyes in disbelief while Irida quietly looked towards the downed noble with an awed expression.
Kleavor soon rose back to his feet causing Zach to leap back while Akari let out a terrified squeal as if she expected it to slice at them! Rather than being mad, Kleavor appeared to be quite appreciated as he offered a light green plate to Zach much like Wyrdeer had done.
"The Insect Plate?! I can't believe Kleavor would trust an outsider like that!" Lian growled.
"Lian, shush." Irida lightly scolded the boy. "Kleavor's free to make his choice."
"Thank you, I'll take good care of it." Zach gave Kleavor an appreciative bow which Kleavor returned before the noble turned to take his leave, rushing off even faster than Adaman!
"I'm sorry but did anyone else see that light erupt from Kleavor's body when Zach beat him?" Irida questioned.
"No, I was too stunned with fear..." Zach admitted.
"I couldn't see a thing!" Lian pouted.
"Nor could I but when I heard that thud, I saw a burst of yellow light head towards the heavens!" Irida explained. "I wonder if this has connection with that strange lightning that was to blame for his unnatural power."
"So that means his mind is truly at ease now?" Lian questioned.
"I believe so, he seemed calm from what I could tell." Zach said while glancing towards where Kleavor disappeared to.
"Well I'm just glad that we could settle this before Kleavor mauled Diamond Clan folk, we really don't need another war on our hands." Irida offered Zach a friendly expression as her coldness towards him appeared to have vanished upon seeing that she could put her trust in him. "If you come across other Pokemon in this frenzied state, please help them!"
"Well there is that Pokemon that Adaman was talking about, maybe I'll head there next."
"Really? Well I wish you luck with that!" Irida held out her hand to him. "I'll come to you if I need your help again." She may not feel confident on asking outsiders for help fully but she was confident she could trust this one!
"And I'll help you when you do," The two shook hands.
"Well hello,"
"Geez!" Akari jumped back as Volo stepped out from behind the guards post upon their return to the village.
"I saw the light fading into the sky, you must have quarreled the lord Pokemon!"
"Er-Yes actually." Zach confirmed Volo's suspicions.
"Were you standing there the whole time...?" Akari questioned.
"And what do we have the-" Volo looked towards Zach's satchel where two colorful plates were visibly sticking out as they were too to fit fully into it. "Ah! Those are two of the fabled plates of old! Where did you get them?! Can I see them?!"
"Wyrdeer and Kleavor-" Akari grabbed hold of Zach's arm and began dragging him away.
'Payback time Volo!' She was still fuming from him interrupting her the previous day. That and she just didn't trust him.
"Ah-Well I'll see you next time!" Volo smiled and waved after them.
"Hm? Something up, Akari?" Zach questioned as he walked alongside her while giving her a look of concern as she didn't usually act like that.
"I'm fine, it's just that-Kamado wanted us to return right away!"
"Oh right, best not keep him waiting." Zach laughed.
"Hmp, well done." Kamado spoke while retaining his stern expression, masking his pride if he had any. "You successfully quelled Kleavor's frenzy, restoring peace of mind to Hisui's people but things are not settled yet, I've heard of other nobles falling into similar frenzies. We must not stop until we quell their frenzies!"
"Don't worry, I'll make sure they all calm down. I promise," Zach reassured Kamado.
"Hmp," Kamado turned his back to him. "Now if you excuse me, I've got work to do."
"Come on Zach, I'm sure that Rei and Laventon are waiting for us at Beni's." Akari grabbed hold of his hand.
"You're right, best not keep them waiting!" The two raced down the stairs and hurried out of Galaxy Hall.
"Ah there you are!" Rei smiled at the pair as they approached. "It's about time, I'm starving!"
"Now now they're our heroes, no need to talk like that!" Laventon laughed.
"The village has been talking up a storm about you besting Kleavor in battle and I think a hero and his friends deserve extra helpings!" Beni declared before shooting a quick glance towards Galaxy Hall. "Just don't mention this to Cyllene!"
"Appreciate it Beni," Laventon smiled at his friend. "Now how about we all dig in?!"
"Right!"
"Zor!" A white Zorua with small tufts of red hair walked through the icy snowbank of the Alabaster Icelands, his tail wagging while a bright playful smile spread across his lips. He just got back from playing with some of his friends and was headed back to his den and pack members.
"ZOR!" A loud pained yelp could be heard from the path ahead causing Zorua's eyes to widen.
"Zor?!" The pup quickly picked up the pace as an anxious expression crossed his face. "Zor?! Zor?!" The pup called out to his mother and father while a hooded figure could be seen exiting the cave, wiping something off his hand before giving a quick nod to an Alakazam as the pair were teleported away!
"Zor?!" Zorua raced into the cave before freezing up as several Zorua and Zoroark could be seen laying motionless on the ground, Zorua's eyes grew watery as he raced towards the two largest Zoroark, his parents. "Zor?! Zorua?! Zor!" Zorua tearfully pressed his snout against their necks and nuzzled against them, hoping that they'd wake up and greet him with their loving gazes once more but they remained motionless and their bodies were getting cold as the warmth left them.
"Zorrrr!" Zorua held up his head and let out a sorrowed howl as tears flooded from his eyes.
Across the vast region, several purple-black time rifts opened up. In the Crimson Mirelands, a skinny and rather unusually leafless Lilligant was sucked into a rift. While in the Cobalt Coatlands, another rift opened up and sucked in a black and cream colored Qwilfish while a different one appeared close to a volcano which sucked in an Arcanine that had a rocky mane. High in the Alabaster Iceland skies, a rift opened up and sucked in a Braviary with bright vibrant head feathers. While in the Coronet Highlands, a final rift opened up which sucked in a Voltorb that greatly resembled the Pokeballs of the time! All of the Pokemon were transported to the exact same place but in a very different time!
Mai was heading back to Diamond Clan's village when she suddenly stopped in place as it felt like she was being followed. "Rei did you sneak out?" She quickly turned while pointing accusingly towards a bush. "Arezu's visiting you soon, I already promised ya!" The bush didn't budge and after a brief moment, Mai shrugged and turned to continue down the path before nearly dropping to the floor as a startled gasp escaped her mouth. Her heart rapidly beat against her chest as she stared at a boy her age with a tanned skin tone and raven black hair, quick unusual for these parts though his blue and black robes fitted in perfectly with the times. She had to admit the man was rather attractive despite the fear that she felt. "W-Who the heck are ya?! What do ya want?!" She asked while shooting an anxious look towards a Raichu that emerged from the bush she'd been staring at.
"Rai rai!" Raichu gave her a friendly wave before taking his place by his trainer's side.
"Apologies ma'am but I've come to track down a murderer, the name's Satoshi of the Aura Clan or rather what's left of it. A powerful Psychic wielder from the Saffron Clan came through and wiped us all out, it was a miracle that I even survived! I just have one question for you, do you know this man?" Satoshi withdrew a scroll which had Shade's image sketched into it.
I misspoke last time, there is another favorite Hisui Pokemon of mine. The one that got a brief bit of focus at the end and will appear again soon! :)
I got two different endings written out for this arc, I'm just not sure what to go with. I really like the Origin Ball design wise and want to include it but having the boys capture the space and time gods, even if temporary as they'll be gone before the chapter ends, just feels wrong. I'm not sure...
Originally Satoshi was going to have a Lucario but I thought it'd be fun to flip the scrip and make it look like it might be Ash who saved Mai, only for it to be his ancestor that just happens to own a Raichu haha!
Also two of the temporary captures are a hint at what's to come, somebody owns two of the same Pokemon ;)
Anyways I hope you all enjoyed! Next time will pick up in the present, which is still where we left off while progressing with the frenzied Noble plotline